Thursday, September 23, 2010

Grand Floridian Afternoon Tea

One of the highlights of our Orlando trip for me was afternoon tea at the Garden View Lounge in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.  It is such a beautiful Victorian style complex and their flagship resort.

P9172073Shown above is a small section of the grand lobby with the Garden View Lounge at the back.  There are wonderful old fashioned ironwork elevators on both sides of the room, a grand piano in the center and also an elegant staircase.  The scent of flowers from the many enormous floral displays permeates the room.  P9172074The tea lounge itself is quite small.  There are comfortable chairs and benches and a wonderful view on two sides of the gardens and lagoon.

P9172075The Old Country Roses bone china is very pretty.  I liked the silver tea strainers for the loose tea and dainty sugar tongs.  This time there were no tea cozies to cover our teapots, as there were in the past.

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My Grand Tea was much as I remembered it, with a glass of Domaine St. Michelle, tea sandwiches, scone and jam tart, and a choice of tea pastries or English trifle.  I can never resist the trifle with fluffy cake, rich custard, tart raspberry sauce and whipped cream.  My favorite sandwich is still served – basil poached pear with gorgonzola cheese on pumpernickle bread.  There was also delicious cucumber, curried chicken salad, shrimp, egg salad, onion tart and a slice of pate.  I’m afraid I sampled before taking the photos, hence the empty spot on my plate.  

P9172087 The raisin scone was very good with a nice flavor and texture.  I forgot to photograph my luscious English trifle.

P9172088  I would love to be able to visit this tea room more than once a year, but it is fun to note what has changed since the last visit.  The wait staff have different uniforms for one thing. 

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Do enjoy afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian Garden View lounge if you have the opportunity.  My hubby recommends the Eros tea – a medium bodied Ceylon with sweet Mandarin orange and vanilla.  Check out the full tea list and afternoon tea offerings here.

4 comments:

Angela McRae said...

Oh, I was just waiting for you to get to this post! I've never been to tea there but would love to go sometime. The offerings sound and look so yummy. Thanks for sharing all the delightful details!

Ginger said...

I'm so glad you shared your vacation with us. I'm having tea there in Nov. Too bad that they don't have tea cozies. I wonder if people were stealing them or if they want guests to get in and out quicker?

Gloria said...

We don't know each other but I have a love and appreciation for the same things you do. Tea rooms, and beautiful tea cups and just pretty dishes in general. We were at Disney last Christmas and wish I had known about the Grand Floridian Tea because I would have gone. I love Cinderella but Tea suits me better at this stage of life. I do enjoy your informative blog.
A Texas Tea Friend

Marilyn Miller said...

I would so love to have tea here. It is on my list and someday I will do it.

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